Philippines: Design of a Pilot Project to Improve Environmental Conditions of Estero de Paco

This TA will (i) review measures to continue improving the water quality in Estero de Paco, (ii) study alternatives for a suitable technology to improve water quality in this and other esteros, (iii) design a Project Demonstration Activity (PDA), (iv) define the pilot location, (v) define the equipment and elements that will allow its later constructive development, and (vi) describe a management system for this facility to guarantee its economic feasibility.

The impact of the proposed TA is improved water quality and environment in the esteros of the Pasig River in Manila. The outcome will be the design of a pilot facility, defining all necessary equipment and elements that will allow its later development, and describe a management system for this facility to guarantee its sustainability.

Water and other urban infrastructure and services /
Urban water supply

Gender Equity and Mainstreaming

Description

This TA will (i) review measures to continue improving the water quality in Estero de Paco, (ii) study alternatives for a suitable technology to improve water quality in this and other esteros, (iii) design a Project Demonstration Activity (PDA), (iv) define the pilot location, (v) define the equipment and elements that will allow its later constructive development, and (vi) describe a management system for this facility to guarantee its economic feasibility.

The impact of the proposed TA is improved water quality and environment in the esteros of the Pasig River in Manila. The outcome will be the design of a pilot facility, defining all necessary equipment and elements that will allow its later development, and describe a management system for this facility to guarantee its sustainability.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

The Pasig River forms the most important natural water system in Metro Manila. It is 27 kilometres long and passes through the urban areas of the metropolis from its upstream portion west of Laguna de Bay, moving downstream to east of Manila Bay. It traverses four cities (Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati and Pasig) and two municipalities of Rizal (Taguig and Taytay). It is relatively straight in the upstream portion from Laguna de Bay but follows a winding course downstream through the city of Manila. Upstream from Laguna de Bay, the river flows through the Napindan Channel, joins the Marikina River at the boundary of Pasig and Taguig, links farther downstream with San Juan River in Mandaluyong, and finally flows out to Manila Bay.

In addition to these tributaries, about 19 creeks or esteros directly discharge into the river. To the north, the largest of these esteros are the Esteros De Vitas, which drains directly into Manila Bay and the Estero de Binondo, which passes through the busy commercial district of Binondo. To its south are several esteros in the Manila area such as Estero Provisor, Estero de Tanque, Estero de Paco which links with Estero de Tripa de Gallina in Makati, Estero de Concordia, Estero de Pandacan and at least three other unidentified creeks.

The influx of population brought about by industrialization and urbanization of Metro Manila resulted in the transformation of Pasig River into urban and industrial effluents destination. The presence of these effluents has degraded the water quality of Pasig River and its tributaries, consequently upsetting its ecological balance. Sources of these undesirable effluents are domestic liquid wastes, industrial wastes, agricultural activities in parts of Marikina and Taguig, solid wastes, and oil discharges from oil depots and watercrafts. In many of the esteros that were previously mentioned, different communities are settled. In order to improve environmental quality for these communities living around the esteros, several measures, such as Las Pinas-Zapote river clean up initiative or Estero de Paco islands, have been carried out.

A great proportion of wastewater is being intercepted due to a new sewage network, and five wastewater treatment facilities are being built. Secondly, dredgings have been realized and a solid waste system of withdrawal has been created. Several water pollution studies have been carried out and are available to consult. In the frame of these, and as an additional action, to improve the quality of the river, this TA will focus on a pilot experience for Estero de Paco. This tributary was in a very poor environmental situation, but the implementation of a series of measures, has led to an improvement of its condition. They will be the guidance of the present TA, whose results should help to continue improving the water quality of Estero de Paco.

Impact

Improved estero de Paco water quality and environment.

Project Outcome

Description of Outcome

Sustainable pilot project design for cleaning Pasig River esteros.

Progress Toward Outcome

Implementation Progress

Description of Project Outputs

Existing physical conditions defined

Pollution origin and load identified

Feasible waste water and solid waste interception options identified

Criteria for technology selection established

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

The consulting firm (INCLAM) mobilized on 1 February 2013. Inception Report has been submitted.

Geographical Location

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects

Environmental Aspects

Involuntary Resettlement

Indigenous Peoples

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation

During Project Design

The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), proposed EA, is already involved in activities for the Pasig River Recovery. However, its managerial/ institutional/organizational/ capacity will be assessed within the TA. It is suggested that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Metro Manila Development Authority, local governments and water utilities will also be included.

During Project Implementation

Business Opportunities

Consulting Services

The SSTA will require an estimated seven person-months (PMs) of international and 12 PMs of national consultancy services. ADB will engage the consultants, following ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2010, as amended from time to time), using quality- and cost-based selection method. Because the consultancy services have a high level of complexity, the proposed scoring for the international firms is 90 for the technical proposal and 10 for the financial proposal. No procurement will be carried out under the TA. Disbursements will be done in accordance with ADB's Technical Assistance Disbursement Handbook (May 2010, as amended from time to time). The PRRC will be responsible for providing the agreed-upon counterpart resources.

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Contracts Awarded

Procurement Plan

About ADB

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. It assists its members and partners by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development.